Director of Preconstruction

Job Preconstruction Manager / Chief Estimator

Salary 225-250K

Location Tempe, AZ

About the Role

Seeking a senior leader to wrangle and elevate the estimating function for industrial piping and metal fabrication (not commercial HVAC). You will lead Senior Estimators and the estimating department, standardize processes and tools, and partner across Operations, Project Management, and CAD/BIM to win profitable work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead & develop the team: Manage Senior Estimators and future hires; set workload plans, KPIs, and coaching paths.
• Own the precon/estimating lifecycle: Go/no-go, RFIs, site walks, takeoffs, pricing, risk reviews, value engineering, internal reviews, client presentations, and handoff to operations.
• Build structure & tools: Create SOPs, estimate templates, and a robust labor/cost database for shop vs. field work, weld inches, materials, coatings, rigging, and logistics.
• Accuracy & quality control: Drive disciplined quantity takeoffs from plans, P&IDs, isos, and models; apply WBS; validate labor productivity and contingencies.
• Market & client interface: Lead proposal strategy and clarifications; cultivate vendors/subs; negotiate pricing and schedules.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Coordinate with the VP, Fabrication Shop, Field, and CAD/BIM on constructability, modularization, spools/skids, and means/methods.
• Forecasting & reporting: Maintain pursuit pipeline, hit-rate metrics, and estimate-to-actual variance tracking.
• Continuous improvement: Run post-mortems and refresh cost databases based on real production data.

Qualifications

• Preferred - 10+ years estimating industrial/process piping and metal fabrication (power, mining, industrial, municipal, data center, or similar).
• Background with mechanical contractors focused on industrial piping and fabrication (not commercial HVAC).
• Proven success managing Senior Estimators and a high-volume bid calendar.
• Expertise with shop/field workflows, spool fabrication, weld procedures, NDE, and QA/QC.
• Strong ability to read P&IDs, isometrics, and structural details; comfortable collaborating from CAD/BIM models.
• Vendor/sub relationships across pipe, valves, fittings, alloys, coatings, supports, and specialty services.
• Proficiency with takeoff/estimating and collaboration tools (e.g., Bluebeam; Sage/Timberline, HeavyBid, ProEst or similar; Excel; Procore or equivalent).
• Clear, persuasive communicator with executive and client-facing experience.

Nice to Have

• Experience pricing outages/turnarounds and emergency work with compressed schedules.
• Exposure to data center, mining, or power generation projects in the Southwest.
• Familiarity with shop routing, nesting, and material traceability.

What Success Looks Like (6–12 Months)

• SOPs, templates, and an updated cost/labor database are adopted and consistently used.
• Bid hit-rate and target margins achieved; estimate-to-actual variance narrowed.
• Predictable intake → review → go/no-go → proposal rhythm across the department.
• Strong alignment and trust with the VP/Operations and repeat positive client feedback.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $225,000.00 - $250,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person